Dead power supply?

[cvstrat]

EDIT: I tested the system with a multimeter today and there was absolutely no power going to any of the plugs. Strange the motherboard LED lights up but there is nothing going to any of the molex or motherboard connectors that the multimeter can pick up. Perhaps it is so faint.

I built my system about a year ago. It had been running pretty well for the most part. Besides the fact that under load it hangs for about 10 seconds and resumes every hour or two. (which I can't for the life of me find out what is causing it).

Anyway I recently moved so I took some compressed air and cleaned out the inside of the case. I had the box in the passenger seat next to me so I know it wasn't jarred or anything. Now it won't power on at all. I've built a ton of PCs in my time so I'm aware that it's typical for a PC not to bood right after being moved.

I reseated the video card and ram, unplugged all of the components but I get nothing. I doesn't even begin to power on, no fans, nothing. I thought maybe the power switch had died so I tried to jump it. No luck.

It's an asus motherboard and has the LED logo that lights up when you have power. So I know the motherboard is getting power. But almost every time I've ever had boot issues with any other PC it at least tries to start. This system is so dead it's like the power button is disconnected.

I don't have an extra PSU or motherboard laying around so I was hoping to determine the issue before I go shopping.

Any ideas?

edit: spelling

 

[Nohr]

I'd double check that the outlet itself has power.

 

[cvstrat]

It's plugged to the surge protector that is powering my other devices. I tried going straight to the wall, 2 outlets, 2 power cables. Again the mobo is lighting up, so I know there is power.

 

[robisbell]

get a multimeter and manually test the psu. system specifications would also be useful to us.

 

[cvstrat]

Asus p5b deluxe wifi ap
intel e4300
2 gig ramz ddr 800
geforce 9700 gs
WD raptor x sata main
500gb maxtor sata secondary
enermax liberty 500w psu
NOS sticker (for extra speed)

I had the CPU clocked up to 3ghz for a long time. I had some suspicions that it might be causing the system to hang. However adjusting the timing down doesn't prevent the periodic system hang.

I will try the multimeter thing, although I'm not really sure how to do that lol.

 

[robisbell]

I'd recommend getting a PSU asap.

then I'd recommend that you install PC Wizard, and have it benchmark the system.

as for how to test the PSU with a multimeter, it's easily found on google.

 

[SinxarKnights]

EDIT: opps, I see you also said you have lights on your MB so I guess disregard this post but I will leave it in case it could help someone else.
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This sounds really stupid but switch the power cords from your monitor -> computer.

I see you already said you tried 2 diff cords. Did you actually try a diff cord or just say you did?

Here is the reasoning behind this:

I had a client's computer that supposedly worked, but for the life of me I couldn't get it to power on. I ended up tearing the whole thing apart to no avail.

I switched out the PSU with an old one I have on hand just for such an occasion - and it worked, problem solved - or so I though.

The next day I grabbed another cord because I gave the other one away (to the client).

Now to see if my limited electronics skills would do me any good. I was gonna open it up and inspect it but I usually try the simple stuff first. I plug the PSU up and hook it up to my test board and it fired right up! Perplexed, I try to figure out what the issue was. Apparently there are at least 2 different power cords out there, although most people never even know because they all fit in the standard PSU type plug. But the one I used on that particular PSU has wider plugs (on the PSU side of it) that don't allow for proper contact when plugged into the PSU socket, it works fine in my test setup's monitor and my main rig's PSU and monitor.

After looking through all my cords, I only found one more that was like that, from a dell monitor.

I guess it would be worth a try to switch out some cords again, save you from buying another PSU...

 

[cvstrat]

bump

 

[cubby1223]

Instead of a multi-meter, dedicated power supply testers are a lot easier to work with:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16899705003

There are some cheaper ones that give you just a good/bad indication on voltages

 

[robisbell]

the testers do not show the voltages, just a generic power no power.